Irene Delores Ziskovsky, 92, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Promise House in Hiawatha.  Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, with her granddaughter Reverend Leigh Benish presiding. Burial will be in Anderson Cemetery near Swisher.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2019, at Brosh Chapel.

Irene was born November 29, 1926, on the family farm west of Swisher, the daughter of Ben and Agnes (Zach) Stanek.  She attended one room school in rural Johnson County.  Later, during World War II, she worked for the War effort, mainly at Dearborn Brass and Collins Radio where she was especially proud of the work she did on radios for the Navy.  Irene met her husband to be, Marvin Ziskovsky, at a dance, being introduced by mutual friends.  Marvin and Irene married on September 29, 1948 at The First Bohemian and Moravian Brethren Church near Ely (now known as the First Presbyterian Church near Ely.)

Marvin and Irene began farming on land near North Liberty that is now part of the Coralville Reservoir.  They then farmed near Springville before purchasing the Ziskovsky family farm near Swisher.  Irene lived and worked at that farm until moving to Promise House.  She was well known for her huge garden, beautiful flower beds and for growing and selling pumpkins and gourds.  Irene also cherished spending time with and taking care of her grandchildren.

Irene is survived by her daughter Janice Hofer; her son Loren (Laura) Ziskovsky; grandchildren Leigh Ann (David) Benish, Kenny Hofer, Aaron Ziskovsky, and Andrew Ziskovsky; a great-grandson Gabriel Benish; her sisters-in-law Erma (Richard) Booth and Marilyn Ziskovsky; as well as her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Marvin in 1994, her sister Irma (Robert) Vanourny, her brother Elmer Stanek and her most favorite feline, Goldie.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church near Ely, Promise House and or to the Jefferson-Monroe (Swisher) Fire Department in her name.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mary Anne Nelson and the staff at Promise House for their loving care of Irene.